Callahan surveys his new vessel, a six-man raft made of black Dacron-reinforced rubber tubes, held together with glue. Beneath the tent-like canopy, there is scarcely enough room for Callahan to sit upright, let alone stretch himself out to his full length. As the waves crash against the raft, Callahan busily shifts across the sagging floor, bailing out seawater with a coffee can. Still terrified that the craft will capsize, his efforts soon lead to exhaustion. He drifts in and out of consciousness as night slowly gives way to day.

Though grateful to have survived the night, the morning brings no relief to Callahan. Gale-force winds continue to hammer the raft. Callahan switches on the EPIRB beacon. He recalls stories of survivors stranded at sea. At least one group was rescued thanks...